Jab Or No Jab?

With the UK opening up and relaxing some  Covid-19 rules,

many employers are still concerned that existing staff and new staff need to be fully vaccinated to work.

The situation on whether this is legally acceptable, however, is still far from clear. There has been advice though from the

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) which urges all employers to act on the side of caution.

They have said it would be: “an intrusion on an employee’s body and may discriminate on the basis of disability, or religious or philosophical belief”.

In guidance to its more than 160,000 members, the group, which represents human resources professionals, made clear that employers “cannot forcibly vaccinate employees or potential employees” – unless legally required.

So far this is not the case except for care home workers in

England who must be fully vaccinated, with a consultation under way on whether to extend this to NHS staff.

If people were forced to get vaccinated in other roles, that could amount to a criminal offence against the person and claims such as assault and battery, the CIPD said.

The UK equalities watchdog – the Equality and Human Rights Commission – also urged employers not to apply a blanket “no jab, no job” policy.

ACAS  the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, has said that if staff did not want to get vaccinated, bosses should listen to their concerns, be sensitive towards personal situations and be wary of avoiding discrimination.

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.

End